Donation of Helicopter from Silver State Helicopters to the UM-Helena College of Technologywill benefit Helena aviation program

The aviation maintenance technology department at the UM-Helena College of Technology http://www.hct.umontana.edu/ received a gift Monday that will give students more applicable experience as they move toward the workforce: most of a Robinson helicopter to practice their maintentance skills on.

"It’s an extremely valuable tool because it will provide students with the training that manufacturers and operators require," said Rena Smith, an instructor in the program.

The donation comes from Silver State Helicopters http://www.silverstatehelicopters.com, a Nevada-based firm with several locations around the country, including one in Butte that opened last fall.

The helicopter, a Robinson R22, isn’t complete, and it isn’t in perfect shape — Dick Krott, general manager of the Butte location, said it was involved in a "hard landing" that knocked it out of commission. Monday’s delivery included the fuselage, a pair of transmissions and various other parts along with instruction manuals.

Robinson is the country’s top producer of civilian helicopters.

By JOHN HARRINGTON – IR Business Editor

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2005/05/03/top/a01050305_01.txt

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‘Copter is great gift for HCT

By The Associated Press

Thumbs up to Silver State Helicopters and students at the Helena College of Technology who will benefit from the company’s gift of a nearly complete helicopter to learn how to maintain and repair. Helena has the only aviation maintenance program in a three-state region that includes North Dakota and Wyoming.

http://helenair.com/articles/2005/05/06/opinions_top/a04050605_01.txt